"Chief Horton's career of public service should be commended. We're grateful for his assistance during our administration's transition and wish him the best," Yarber said. "We could not have transitioned so smoothly without him."

Horton has been chief for a year, but has been with the Jackson Police Department for nearly 30 years.

"I've enjoyed three decades of law enforcement," Horton said in a news release. "I’m looking forward to the next phase of my career."

The Jackson Police Department came under fire last week after a 67-year-old Jackson woman was found slain several hours after she called 911 to report a prowler. Helen Harrion's body was found Tuesday behind her Kingsroad Avenue home. The Hinds County coroner said Harrion had been beaten, strangled and shot in the face.

Horton admitted that officers could have done a better job responding to the 911 call.

"While we did a good investigation, we obviously did not do one to the extent that we covered the entire property," Horton said Wednesday. "I think that our officers should have made contact with her. They made an attempt to knock on the door. They were not able to raise her and that was the extent of it."

After Yarber took office earlier this year, he announced that Horton would remain on to lead the Jackson Police Department. Yarber also named Marshand Crisler as the city's public safety commissioner.

In 2013 Horton announced that the number of homicides were down from the year before. But this year that number has increased compared to this time last year.

Horton succeeded Rebecca Coleman as chief in July 2013 after Chokwe Lumumba was sworn in as Jackson mayor. Horton joined JPD in 1985 and for more than 10 years served as deputy chief before being named chief.

"I appreciate (Yarber) giving me the opportunity to lead this police department. Our challenges are many, as you probably know," Vance said. "These are difficult times in the city of Jackson, due to recent events. We're asking for healing. We're asking for support, as we all must work together to make not only the police department better, but the city better."

Vance is asking for support from Jackson residents and asks them to pray for him to give him "strength, wisdom an understanding" as the leader of JPD.

AND A RECENT-SPIKE IN HOMICIDES--- A BOMBSHELL FOR THE JACKSON POLICE DEPARTMENT. POLICE-CHIEF-LINDSEY HORTON RETIRED, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. LATE-MAYOR CHOKWE LUMUMBA APPOINTED HORTON LAST-YEAR. HE SERVED NEARLY-30- YEARS WITH J-P-D. HORTON SUCCEEDED REBECCA COLEMAN --- WHO RESIGNED LAST YEAR. WE ARE CERTAINLY GRATEFUL FOR WHAT HE BROUGHT TO THE JACKSON POLICE DEPARTMENT. LEE VANCE IS NOW THE INTERIM-CHIEF. HORTON'S RETIREMENT COMES DURING A ROUGH- TIME FOR THE POLICE- DEPARTMENT. HE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED---THE NUMBER OF HOMICIDES IN THE CITY ARE UP COMPARED TO THIS- TIME LAST YEAR.